The Indian budget every year has always been an eagerly awaited event. For many decades, the best minds in economics, finance, tax, business and industry throng the media house to analyze the provisions shared by the Financial Minister.
Sometimes major events completely disconnected may be data points for the plans of the different powers around the world. The challenge is to discern what purpose they serve? More critically, what are we moving towards?
When the US Ambassador threatened India's "Strategic Autonomy" policy over India's friendship with Russia - much more than meets the eye was at stake. Let us unpack how the Ukraine war has fundamentally changed the US and the world. And why are we here anyway?
Pakistanis are remarkably neurotic people. It is no secret that it is a heaven for conspiracy theorists. That’s their staple. What this thing has done is to make them orchestrate their own ruin.
Pew Research
If you look at the chart here you will see that while the people who believe that Taliban is a greater threat have decreased in the last few years (strangely, as the attacks by Taliban have increased!); while those viewing India as a threat have correspondingly increased. Go figure!
Interestingly, an equal percentage (59%) of Indians also view Pakistanis unfavorably. And Indians are not alone. People in China, Japan, and three predominantly Muslim countries – Tunisia, Jordan and Egypt also have a negative view of Pakistan.
Look at the irony that 9 out of 10 Pakistanis consider China as their trusted partner. Onljy 1 out of 10 Pakistani considers China as their enemy. The Chinese don’t really care for Pakistanis, but Pakistanis can’t get enough of their “Chinese brothers”.
Coming to the leaders of their country, Imran Khan seems to be the highest rated right now. In order of popularity it is:
Imran Khan
Nawaz Sharif
Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and
Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry
Ex-Gen Pervez Musharraf
Pak Leaders Rating
Another interesting trend is that although the view of the Extremist groups are not popular, they don’t worry Pakistanis much.
Overall, concerns about extremism have ebbed since 2009, when the Pakistan military was battling Taliban-affiliated groups in the Swat Valley area near Islamabad. Then, fully 69% were concerned that extremists might take control of Pakistan, compared with 52% today.
Now, this is rather strange because when one listens to the Pakistani programs and anchors, one can see how worried they are. But even more importantly, the suicide bombings and terror attacks haven’t really ebbed. So, what gives? How can citizens of a country which is clearly being bombed by certain group of people, be not worried about them?
This is precisely what is taking Pakistan down. Even though one is hurt, one can’t do a whole lot because the passions for the religion is high even amongst the nationalists, and they cannot distinguish between the guy who talks passionately about Islam and is bombing Pakistan versus another person who is religious. This inability is going to take their entire country down.
The Indian budget every year has always been an eagerly awaited event. For many decades, the best minds in economics, finance, tax, business and industry throng the media house to analyze the provisions shared by the Financial Minister.
When the US Ambassador threatened India's "Strategic Autonomy" policy over India's friendship with Russia - much more than meets the eye was at stake. Let us unpack how the Ukraine war has fundamentally changed the US and the world. And why are we here anyway?
This visit of India left me with many questions. Many observations and inputs from different people and sections. Food for thought that I have tried to contemplate on and make sense of. Sharing all that with you.
When you analyze the last 60 years of the economic miracles of Singapore, South Korea and Malaysia versus the continued impoverished Indian economy, you get very interesting lessons. Can Indians have the wherewithal in them to do in one generation so that the coming generations may rise?
Every Sunday AM (US Time)/ PM (India time), we send out a weekly detailed newsletter. We also share other insightful notes during the week. Its free. Do sign up and share with friends!